il·lu·mi·nate
i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnāt 
illuminated; illuminating
1
a(1)
: to supply or brighten with light
(2)
: to make luminous or shining
b
: to enlighten spiritually or intellectually
c
: to subject to radiation
d
archaic
: to set alight
2
3
: to make illustrious or resplendent
4
: to decorate (something, such as a manuscript) with gold or silver or brilliant colors or with often elaborate designs or miniature pictures
il·lu·mi·nate
i-ˈlü-mə-nət
1
archaic
: brightened with light
2
archaic
: intellectually or spiritually enlightened
il·lu·mi·nate
i-ˈlü-mə-nət
archaic
: one having or claiming unusual enlightenment
Synonyms
Examples of illuminate in a Sentence
Verb
the part of the moon illuminated by the sun
A university study has illuminated the problem.
Recent Examples on the Web
Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
The painting — depicting a house at night, illuminated by a lamp post, while under a bright, blue sky — is one of a series by the Belgian artist showing the interplay of shadow and light.
—Greg McKenna, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2024
IEEE Spectrum, 9 Feb. 2024
The other four pillars are designated illuminate, educate, engage, and energize.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 May 2023
Colin Demarest, Axios, 11 July 2024
Watch:Doordash driver's dashcam video shows meteor illuminate night sky in Florida
Artemis astronauts will need a vehicle on the moon.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for illuminate 
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Verb
Kingsolver’s speech was a testament to the power of writers as disrupters who can illuminate injustices and uncomfortable pressure points through literature.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
The painting — depicting a house at night, illuminated by a lamp post, while under a bright, blue sky — is one of a series by the Belgian artist showing the interplay of shadow and light.
—Greg McKenna, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The pillars are illuminate, educate, engage, energize, and future.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 Feb. 2024
The other four pillars are designated illuminate, educate, engage, and energize.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 May 2023
Noun
Subscribe to Axios Communicators for more stories like this
Colin Demarest
Jul 10, 2024 - World
Inside the next era of warfare: How tech is reshaping the battlefield
Conflicts abroad and defense-contract competitions at home illuminate in real time the future of America's war machine.
—Colin Demarest, Axios, 11 July 2024
Watch:Doordash driver's dashcam video shows meteor illuminate night sky in Florida
Artemis astronauts will need a vehicle on the moon.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for illuminate
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Dictionary Entries Near illuminate
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illuminate. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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